Reckless Night in Rio

“Some things, they are more important than money.”

Gabriel exhaled. Laura felt his body tense behind her, tight and ready to snap. “St. Raphaël is a vulture,” he growled. “He will break my father’s company up for parts, fire the employees, scatter the pieces around the world. He will crush Açoazul beneath his heel!”

“That is not my problem. I will not give you any reason to remain in Rio.” Oliveira’s jowly face was grim as he started to turn away, holding out his arm for Adriana, who could barely contain the smug look on her beautiful face.

They’d lost.

Laura’s heart leaped up to her throat, choking her.

They’d failed. She had failed.

“You’re wrong about me, Oliveira,” Gabriel said desperately. “I can commit. I’ve always been ready to commit. I was just waiting for the woman I could love forever.”

Frowning, the older man and Adriana glanced back at them. They stopped. Their eyes went wide.

As if in slow motion, Laura turned to face Gabriel, who was standing behind her.

Except he was no longer standing. He’d fallen to his knee.

He’d pulled a black velvet box out of his tuxedo pocket.

Opening it, he held up a ten-carat diamond ring.

“Laura,” he said quietly, “will you marry me?”

Laura’s jaw dropped.

She looked from the ring to Gabriel kneeling in front of her. She looked back at the ring.

I was just waiting for the woman I could love forever.

He’d changed his mind about love and commitment? Did he want her in his bed so badly he was willing to marry her?

He smiled, and everything else fell away. She was lost in his dark eyes.

“What is this?” Oliveira demanded. “Some trick? Now she’s your pretend fiancée?”

Gabriel just looked at Laura. “Say yes. Make this an engagement party.”

And Laura exhaled.

All her wedding dreams came crashing down around her. This proposal had nothing to do with love, or even sex. It was entirely about business.

This was his plan B.

Tears rose in her eyes, tears she hoped would appear to be tears of joy. Unable to speak over the lump in her throat, she simply nodded.

Rising to his feet, Gabriel kissed her. Tenderly, he placed the diamond ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. Laura stared down at it, sparkling on her hand like an iceberg. It was beautiful. And so hollow.

“Hmm,” Oliveira said, watching them thoughtfully. ?

??Maybe I was wrong about you, Santos.”

“You said you’d never marry anyone!” Adriana sounded outraged.

Never looking away from Laura’s face, Gabriel smiled. “Plans change.”

“But people don’t,” she spit out. “Not this much. You would never marry a woman with a baby!”